The Union Effect

The TUC's recent report "The Union Effect" shows that union safety reps are the best defence against work-related accidents and ill-health.

Report author, TUC head of safety Hugh Robertson, said: "This report confirms in simple and clear terms that safety representatives are one of the most significant factors in improving the safety culture of an organisation. While unions have known this for along time, we need employers to look at the evidence and start accepting the huge impact that consultation can make."

The comprehensive review of published studies and union case histories concludes that the 200,000 trade union safety representatives are good for you because trade union involvement:

* Helps reduce injuries at work; leads to reductions in the levels of ill-health caused by work;

* encourages greater reporting of injuries and near misses;

* makes workers more confident; and helps develop a more positive safety culture in the organisation.

The report notes that safety is what union members want - 70 per cent of new trade union members say health and safety is a "very important" issue, even topping pay on the list of priorities.

Health and safety is top of the hits on the TUC website, backed up by Risks, far and away TUC's most popular bulletin. For more information on Health and Safety visit the TUC Website at www.tuc.org.uk